Hate crime case resurrects racial wounds in NYC

NEW YORK >> Yitzhak Shuchat, a white member of a civilian patrol group, and Andrew Charles, the black son of a police officer, came face to face in 2008 in a neighborhood with a history of racial strife -- that much is certain.

But six years later, the circumstances of the encounter in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn remain murky, even as prosecutors pursue charges against 28-year-old Shuchat alleging he attacked Charles because of his race. Shuchat's supporters in the neighborhood's Orthodox Jewish community have reacted with dismay over what they call a hate crime investigation gone awry.

Authorities "took a minor incident and made it into a very serious situation," said state Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who is Jewish. "This could have been resolved a long time ago. It makes absolutely no sense."

The case received renewed attention last month when deputy U.S. Marshals retrieved Shuchat from Israel after he lost a lengthy extradition fight. He pleaded not guilty July 18 in a Brooklyn court to second-degree assault as a hate crime, attempted assault and other charges and was released on $300,000 bail put up by Jewish benefactors.

Prosecutors have yet to explain why they're treating the case as a racial incident, said Shuchat's attorney, Paul Batista. In other hate crime cases, there are typically racial slurs or other clear evidence of bias.

Asked in a recent television interview to describe their encounter, Charles responded, "They attacked us, and that's about it." He didn't elaborate.

The Brooklyn district attorney's office declined to comment.

The case resurrected old wounds in Crown Heights, where violence exploded in 1991 after a black child, Gavin Cato, was accidentally hit and killed by a car in a Jewish motorcade. A group of blacks responded by stabbing to death a rabbinical student from Australia who was walking down the street.

Over the years the tensions in Crown Heights have dissipated as the neighborhood has become more gentrified. But occasional violence linked to race or religion has persisted -- and can still stir up old fears.

In 2008, the New York Police Department increased patrols in Crown Heights after the incident with Charles and a report that a Jewish teenager was robbed and beaten by black kids.

According to police, Charles was walking with a black friend when they were confronted by a white man who pepper-sprayed Charles. Then an SUV pulled up and a white passenger -- later identified by police as Shuchat -- jumped out and hit him with a nightstick.

Authorities concluded Shuchat and the other man were volunteers with the civilian patrol, Shmira, and convened a grand jury to look into the matter -- a move criticized by the Jewish community but welcomed by black leaders.

After learning he was wanted as a suspect, Shuchat fled to Israel through Canada amid claims he couldn't get a fair trial. He was indicted on the hate crime charges a few weeks later after prosecutors concluded bias was the only motive.

The defense doesn't dispute that Shuchat had a run-in with Charles. But it says Shuchat was responding to a radio call reporting that two black men were throwing rocks and cursing at Jews. It also claims Charles wasn't harmed despite being taken to the hospital.

"It was an argument between two people on the street," Batista said. "There's nothing more to it."

Shuchat started a family in Israel before Brooklyn prosecutors sought his extradition. While he fought it, Crown Heights Jewish leaders circulated letters of support and started a defense fund.

"Yitzy's young family does not deserve to be torn apart by a prosecution out to pander to rabble-rousers in the community," wrote the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council.

Community activist Taharka Robinson, who's advising Charles' family, said Shuchat's decision to leave the country was telling.

"I don't believe anyone would flee and go through Canada to get into Israel if they did not engage in an act that injured someone," he said.

Shuchat's supporters see the extradition as an opportunity for vindication.

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the TERMS OF SERVICE. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. Because only subscribers are allowed to comment, we have your personal information and are able to contact you. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. To report comments that you believe do not follow our guidelines, email commentfeedback@staradvertiser.com.

Leave a comment

Name:

Comment:

Please login to leave a comment.

HanabataDayswrote:

"Yitzy". Classic attempt to juvenilize the defendant and therefore his actions. Yitzhak's a big boy and big boys are responsible for the consequences of their actions. Prosecute, try the case, and let the law take its course.

on August 2,2014 | 03:03PM

Name:

Comment:

kalapaki3000wrote:

Never ever ever will you see the Associated Press reporting on a racial hate crime where the perp is black and the victim is white.

on August 2,2014 | 04:16PM

Name:

Comment:

HD36wrote:

If a black man is beating up a white person, what racial slur could he use to bring it to the level of a hate crime? Whitey, Cracker, Pale face, Wonder Bread, Polar Bear? None of these words come close to the N word, which I can't even write without fear of prosecution nowadays.

on August 2,2014 | 05:06PM

Name:

Comment:

hawaiikonewrote:

Any of those words would do. Equally as offensive as the n word. Until everyone understands that simple fact, we'll continue to have racial divisiveness.

on August 2,2014 | 09:06PM

Name:

Comment:

HD36wrote:

I remember watch the Jefferson's as a kid. George would always say the word honkey.

on August 2,2014 | 10:09PM

Name:

Comment:

hawaiikonewrote:

Can't tell if you're in agreement with me or somehow trying to justify racial terminology. Hope it's the former.